Final Day of Pow Wow — What a Week!
May 20, 2010(This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy.)
Helen Marano is the Director of ITA’s Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) and is a 20+ year travel and tourism industry veteran.
My travels through the biggest travel trade show are wrapping up now with a finale at Sea World of Orlando.
The sea of delegates were wholeheartedly thanked for all they do to spur job growth and exports in travel and tourism for the U.S. from the well rendered speech by the Under Secretary Francisco Sanchez. The Commercial Service officers were recognized. The Visit USA committees were recognized. The US Travel Association was recognized.
There was no doubt left in the room that the industry was well supported by all levels of the new administration and well-regarded for the economic engine it represents.
As the second part of the luncheon was to be a celebration of Graceland in Memphis, TN, the Under Secretary surprised all of the delegates with his very own spontaneous imitation of Elvis Presley’s special hip movement capped by the finger-pointing move to the sky! It brought the house down and won acclaim in the buzz on the trade show floor afterwards.
So Commerce delivered on many fronts for the travel and tourism industry this week, including a new forecast to spur the business energies on to continue investing in expanding this export!
So a bit tired but exhilarated, I’m ready to celebrate with the myriad of delegates at the evening closing event! I will head home to a hard-working Commerce team ready to deliver on all fronts under the leadership of Deputy Assistant Secretary Joel Secundy!
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